A retired police officer suffering a heart attack had his life saved by a first responder who turned out to be a close friend of 40 years.
Tony Foster, 76, and Peter Gregory, 68, had worked together in the traffic task force and stayed friends ever since.
Peter, an ambulance service volunteer, was horrified when he received an emergency 999 call and realised it was from Tony’s home address.
The two exchanged only a few words before Tony fell into full cardiac arrest and Peter swiftly started CPR – using a portable defibrillator to send a life-saving shock.
Hero dad-of-one Peter said: “When I saw the address... I knew straight away it was Tony’s house.
“I saw the second call come in while I was en route and it came up with chest pains. It hit home that it was something potentially very serious and that time was of the essence.
“When I got there, he was sat on the edge of his bed holding his chest. I spoke to him just enough and in 30 seconds, he started going into cardiac arrest.
“The timing couldn’t have been any better because your chances of survival in cardiac arrest drop by 10% every minute.
"I’ve been to cardiac arrests before, but never where I have known the person and nothing as serious or dramatic as this.
“I’m absolutely delighted I was able to help him, but there’s a personal issue and to see him back on his feet and healthy is really lovely.”
Serving in Merseyside Police traffic force together for decades, Tony and Peter said they have both seen their fair share of fatal incidents.
But the pair, of St Helens, Merseyside, admitted the ordeal was a special experience which has brought them even closer together.
Former motorway patrol officer, Tony, spent two weeks in hospital and needed a seven-hour heart bypass, but has made great progress, with the help of wife, Janet, 76.
Tony said: “It was reassuring when I saw a friendly face coming to my aid. If it hadn’t been for Peter’s timely intervention, I almost certainly would have died.”
